Hicks vigil organiser undeterred by intimidation

Every week since February 3, around 60 people have gathered outside the office of federal Liberal MP Kerry Bartlett to call for Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks to be brought home. The initiator of the vigils, Kevin Hardwick, told Green Left Weekly that the vigils would continue until the Hicks issue is resolved.

Protesters were outraged when, on February 23, two police officers turned up and walked straight up to people and photographed them. Hardwick said it "felt like intimidation". Undeterred, the number of participants has since swelled. Community outrage has been strong, with letters to the local paper and Sydney Morning Herald. Police have not turned up again.

Hardwick initiated the first protest by telling a few friends, placing a notice in the local newspaper, and setting up a blog. He encourages others to organise similar actions. "The protest has been a grassroots action and it would be good if other people stood up outside their MPs office, or something similar. It is a constant presence, and keeps the issue in the forefront of media attention."

The vigil is from noon-1pm, every Friday, outside Kerry Bartlett's office at 186 Macquarie St, Springwood. Visit http://www.bringdavidhome.blogspot.com.

From GLW issue 702